Me: Well, I'm back again. Sorry if I seem boring or depressed.
Keisuke: Does the writer need a hug?
Me: Not from you. I'll probably be crushed to death.
Kouya: I'm not offering. Bad enough I have to go through with his script…
Keisuke: If you want out, I think you should give him a hug at least.
Kouya: Only for freedom. (Hugs me)
Me: OMGOMGOMG! Kouya hugged me! (Passes out)
Kouya: I WILL KILL YOU KEISUKE!
Keisuke: The kid that is unconscious does not own Morenatsu!
August 21
A Letter from Home, and some Help
Seeing as my leg is still aching and in intense pain from being twisted two days ago, I sigh as I wait in my room in the inn. Hiroyuki basically had a heart attack when he saw me return, and forced me to bed rest immediately. Since then, I've been helpless for the most part, relying on Hiroyuki and Torahiko for even the most simple tasks. Speaking of which, I can hear one of them approaching now.
The door to the room opens, and I don't bother to hide my surprise when I see Keisuke of all beastmen entering with a set of papers in his left hand. He is in the usual attire, with the same old smirk plastered on his face.
"Well, look at you. You haven't even been here a month, and yet you went and got yourself hurt." The horse lets out a laugh, sitting at the foot of my bed. "So, how are you feeling?"
"Bored beyond recognition," I admit in a mutter. Keisuke sets the papers in my lap, and I raise an eyebrow in questioning. "Exactly what is all of this?"
"Just look through them and see." I'm curious because of his vague answer, so I do as he says, picking up the papers.
They are mostly notes from Shun about what I am missing while stuck in this room. Only three of the papers are not from Shun, though; the first is from Kouya, ironically, and the others are from home. I set aside the note from Kouya to save it for later, and I open the first envelope, from my friend CJ, since I wrote him a while ago about things here.
The letter is nice and simple. "Hey, Lee, we miss you back here in the U, S, and A. Japan sounds amazing! I really wish I could have gone with you to practice all of the Japanese you've taught me. And the crew sounds rather nice, despite being so weird. You'll have to bring me some photos of them so I can get used to there being people like them.
"Now, about this Kouya. Based off of what you said, I seriously know what you feel for the guy. You obviously like him! Just try and go on a date with him for one time and see how it goes! Let everything you feel out at once and confess to him! Always your best bud, CJ."
I smile at how blunt he is. CJ was always like that when we first met, and never changed a bit. I set aside his letter and open the one from my mother, curious about what she wrote.
Her letter is not quite what I expected. "Lee, I can see that you are loving your ancestral home. Now you know why I taught you so much about Japan as a child. These friends of yours sound simply wonderful, and I'm glad you met a beastman! You must tell me more about them all, as well as their families. I'd love to meet them in person some day.
"Now, do not say anything negative about this, but I spoke with CJ about the contents of your letter to him concerning your strange emotions for this Kouya. I do believe you are feeling the same thing I felt when I first met your father; an attraction that reaches the depths of the soul. It may only be friendship, or it may be more. That is for you to decide on your own. I also understand that by the time this reaches you, it may very well be close to one of my favorite festivals, the Bon Festival. I do hope you enjoy your time there. With my deepest love, mother."
I have to wipe a tear from my eye as I smile about her letter. Mother was kind at heart no matter what happened. But, with all these tips about Kouya, my attention is drawn to the note from him. With a swift hand, I grab it and skim over the contents. It is plain like the notes from Shun, but the last few lines are completely catching me off guard.
"Lee, I'd like to speak with you at the Bon Festival, if you're able to go with your leg. Perhaps we could spend the night together, like a date. Not that it has to be one. I'd just like to spend some time with you. I'll meet you at eight at night if you decide to come. Sincerely, Kouya."
Keisuke grins at me, and I know automatically that he had something to do with this. One firm look makes him flinch visibly.
"Keisuke, what did you do to make Kouya write this?"
He blushes lightly, reaching into a pocket and pulling out a photograph. "All I did was make a threat of showing you this if he didn't write to you. I didn't control what he wrote." He shows me the picture, and I burst into complete and utter laughter. The photo is of Kouya unconscious and with his fur dyed pink on his face. He stashes the picture away quickly, taking the note from Kouya and skimming over it. His expression is similar to what I imagine mine was, and he gives me the strangest of looks before grinning widely.
"We need to get you ready for a date."
Me: Finally done... I hated writing this chapter, so I made it nice and short. But, I'm very busy as of late, as a college freshman, so I have little time to write. I can't wait for next chapter though! That will be my favorite of all time!
Kouya: I can't leave still!? Why!?
Keisuke: I guess it has to do with my helping Lee out at the end.
Me: That is correct!